Talks between the Canadian Auto Workers union and the Hudsons Bay Company have broken off and 800 CAW members in five locations across Ontario are on strike.

Outstanding issues include company concession demands to:

<abolish the standard progressive wage grid and replace it with a merit pay system based on favouritism and profit margins;

<establish a new benefit plan that reduces weekly sick pay from 16 weeks to 10 days;

<establish a twotier wage system that, over the length of an agreement, would reduce workers real wage increases.

The Bay is trying to turn back the labour relations clock some 25 years on our members by presenting an offer that puts workers in an unacceptable, highly vulnerable position with respect to their wages and benefits,@ says Bill Gibson, CAW national representative. AIts a slap in the face. Workers are entitled to decent benefits, and theyre entitled to know what their wages will be. They shouldnt have to worry about whether they can buy food or pay the rent because some supervisor doesnt like them, or because a change in corporate accounting practice changes the profit statement, or because fewer customers in a given year buy a particular departments products.@